Apparatus for producing illuminating effects.



No. 790,900. PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

' 0. JUNGHANS.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUMINATING EFFECTS.

APPLICATION FILED 00'1.12, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

S KA ,LEHANSF' INVENTOR:

WITNESSES: Mi

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fl y V /f mi w fi I PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

0. JUNGHANS.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUMINATING EFFECTS.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 12, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVE'NTOR:

By ftomeys, WGFLW WITNESSES: "7%! flu! No. 700,000. PATENTED MAY 30,1905.

- 0. JUNGHANS. V

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUMINATING EFFECTS.

APPLIOATION FILED 0OT.12, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 FIG. /0.

INVENTOR:

WITNESSES: 02 51 By A ltomeys,

PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

0. JUNGHANS. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUMINATING EFFECTS.

APPLICATION FILEDDGT. 12, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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i No. 790,900.

NITED STATES Patented May 30, 1905.

PATENT Trice.

OSKAR JUNGHANS, OF SCHRAMBERG, GERMANY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,900, dated May 30,1905.

Application filed October 12, 1904:. Serial No. 228,246.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSKAR J UNGHANS, a subject of the King ofWurtemberg, residing at Schram berg, Kingdom of Wiirtemberg, Ger- 'manEmpire, have invented certain new and gated transparent elements, so asto cause a series of long flashes of light, the successive flashes beingpreferably of difi'erent colors. The present application providescertain improvements in such apparatus whereby the space which can beused for advertising purposes is much enlarged, and, in fact, may bemade of practically unlimited size,whereby the apparatus can be moreconveniently located in shop-windows and against vertical walls andwhereby other advantages referred to in detail hereinafter may besecured.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention.Figure 1 is an elevation showing the four corners of an apparatusespecially adapted for shop-windows. Fig. 2 is a section parallel withthe face of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is avertical crosssection through the apparatus in place in a shop-window.Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a plan and cross-section of a flexiblestrip or belt for flashing the different colors. Fig. 6 is a sectionsimilar to Fig. 2, showing the apparatus employing gas-lamps and showingcertain other slight modifications. Fig. 7 is a section parallel withthe front face, showing the apparatus mounted upon a vertical side wall.Fig. 8 is avertical cross-section of the apparatus in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 isa vertical cross-section illustrating a modified arrangement of thesource of light. Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a form oftransparent element. and Figs., 11 and 12 are'fragmentary elevationsillustrating several methods of practicing my invention.

Fig. 13 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1, partly in vertical section,showing the preferred form of my invention.

Referring to the embodiments illustrated, a chamber is provided which isinteriorly illuminated and from one or more walls of which elongatedtransparent elements extend in a direction approximately orsubstantially normal to the wall, so that the light produced in thechamber is dispersed lengthwise throughout said transparent elements,and a succession of differently-colored sheets moves continuouslybetween the source of light and the elongated transparent elements, soas to produce a succession of long flashes. The apparatus is arranged sothat the elongated transparent elements are in a substantially verticalplane. The light is transmitted through the elongated transparentelements on asimilar principle to that utilized. in the well-knownluminous fountains and waterfalls, the surfaces of the tubes beingpreferably frosted or coated with a translucent varnish, whichintensifies the effect.

The chamber A may be in the form of a hollow frame, as shown in Fig. 1,with the elongated transparent elements B projecting into the spacewithin the frame or both Within and on the outside of the frame, asshown in Fig. 13, or it may be a closed figure, as in Fig. 7. In anycaseit has, preferably, at least one flat side G, which is free from thetransparent elements, so as to permit its attachment against a verticalwall, such as D. The form indicated in Figs. 1 and 13 provides a largecentral space, within which advertisements may be placed and surroundedby the apparatus like a frame. Although the wall E of the illuminatedchamber from which the elongated transparent elements B extend should beopaque, yet the front wall F may be translucent, carrying anadvertisement in opaque letters upon it, or it may be an opaque wallwith transparent portions F showing the advertisement By arranging thechamber around the elongated transparent elements it affords the largestavailable space for the advertising matter which may be printed on itsface. This is a point of great practical importance.

The elongated transparent elements B may be of various shapes and may bevariously arranged relatively to the illuminated chamber. For example,according to Fig. 6these elements are shown only along the verticalsides of the apparatus, being omitted from the top and bottom.

In Fig. 7 there are shown two sets of parallel elements and one set ofdiverging elements. The arrangement in this respect may be varied withina wide range, according to the individual taste and ingenuity of thedesigner. The elongated transparent elements may be of solid glass orother transparent material, or they may be hollow tubes of the samematerial, either empty or containinga liquid. For thelongest elements,such as ten or twelve feet or more, and especially when they are curved,tubes filled with liquid are best. The ends of the tubes or rods may befastened in any suitable way in sockets in the wall of the chamber.

A feature of improvement, without which it would be practicallyimpossible to make the chamber very large, is the introduction of thedifferently-colored sheets or screens between the source of light andthe ends of the tubes or rods by means of a long flexiblebelt Gr insteadof such sheets being carried by a cylinder, as shown in my aforesaidpatent. This belt comprises a succession of sheets H, H, H &c., whichare of different colors and preferably all transparent, though theintroduction of an opaque sheet between two transparent ones to cut offthe light entirely during one of the intervals is within the invention.The sheets H, H, H 620., for example, may be made of thin mica, beingheld together by strips J of leather or similar tough flexible materialalong their edges. The complete belt is passed around a number ofpulleys K and is driven continuously by any suitable means, such as theelectric motor L, Fig. 6, or the spring and clockwork M, Fig. 8.

Any suitable lamps may be used such, for example, as the incandescentelectric lamps N or the incandescent gas-lamps 0, Fig. 6 or thereflector P may be used, Fig. 9, which receives the light from anoil-lamp at the back of the apparatus and reflects it into the elongatedtransparent elements. Preferably in order to distribute the light overthe difl'erent parts of the belt, and thus to all the differentelongated transparent elements equally, reflectors are provided at thebacks of the lightssuch, for example, as the mirror Q of Fig. 6, runningalong the outer side wall of the chamber, or the mirror R of Figs. 7 and8, arranged at the center of the several lamps N. Referring to Fig. 7,it will be seen that the direct light from the lamps does not enter thetube B to the same extent as it does the ad acent tubes. The mirror,however, serves to transmit directly into the tube B a quantity of lightapproximately sufficient to make up the deficiency, the light beingreflected in the manner indicated by the broken lines.

If the transparent elements are used on opposite sides of a chamber suchas is shown in Fig. 13, two belts G G may be used the lamps beingarranged between them. In this case rectangular reflectors, such as P,may be used between the lamps, as shown.

It will be understood that the elements B may be of any desired shape orform and that they may be arranged in any manner to obtain the effectdesired. In Figs. 10 and 13 I have shown them in the form ofincandescent-electric-lamp bulbs, which are disposed in a similar mannerto those in Fig. 6. This form of transparentelement has the specialadvantage that it produces the effect of an electric lamp with a greatreduction in cost of operation, one source of light, such as N. servingto illuminate a number of the bulb-shaped elements B.

One valuable application of my invention is its use as an illuminatedsign, and for this purpose the bulb form of element is especiallyadapted. In Fig. 11 I have shown a series of bulbs arranged in the formof letters J U, the background being opaque and the source of lightbeing arranged in the chamber at the rear thereof. Fig. 13 shows asimilar arrangement in the letters OSK HANS at the top of the figure. Itwill be seen that one or more lights may be so mounted within thechamber as to produce substantially the effect of a letter composed ofnumerous incandescent electric lamps. In Fig. 12 I have illus trated amodification in which the bulb elements are arranged to form thebackground, the letter outline being in this case opaque. It will beunderstood that in any case the traveling multicolored strip may beused, if desired.

With the apparatus arranged in a shop-window the rear face of thechamber A may be opened, so that the light may be utilized to illuminatearticles in the window which are visible from the center of theapparatus. Preferably a background of black material S is arrangedbehind the tubes B in such a case, so that there shall be nointerference with the desired optical effect by reason of the light inthe rear.

What'l claim is 1. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects,the combination with an interiorly-illuminated chamber, of elongatedtransparent elements one end of each of which passes through a wall ofsaid chamber and each of which extends therefrom in a substantiallyvertical plane and in a direction approximately normal to such wall, sothat light produced in said chamber is dispersed lengthwise through saidtransparent elements to produce elongated rays or beams, and a flexiblebelt composed of a succession of differently-colored sheets movingcontinuously between the source of light and said elongated transparentelements to produce a succession of elongated flashes.

2. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects, the combinationwith an interiorly-illumina'ted chamber, of elongated transparentelements one end of each of which extends therefrom in a substantiallyvertical plane and in a direction approximately normal to such wall, sothat light produced in said chamber is dispersed lengthwise through saidtransparent elements to produce elongated rays or beams, and a flexiblebelt composed of a succession of differently-colored sheets movingcontinuously between the source of light and said elongated transparentelements to produce a succession of elongated flashes, lamps within saidchamber and constituting the source of light, and a reflector arrangedbehind the lamps to distribute the light upon said belt.

3. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects, the combinationwith an interiorly-illuminated chamber, of elongated transparentelements one end of each of which passes through a wall of said chamberand each of which extends therefrom in a substantially vertical planeand in a direction approximately normal to such wall, so that lightproduced in said chamber is dispersed lengthwise through saidtransparent elements to produce elongated rays or beams, and asuccession of differentlycolored sheets moving continuously between thesource of light and said elongated transparent elements to produce asuccession of elongated flashes, at least one flat side of said chamberbeing unprovided with such elongated elements to adapt the apparatus forattachment against a vertical wall.

4. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects, the combinationwith a hollow frame having an interiorly-illuminated chamber, ofelongated transparent elements, each of which at one end passes througha wall of said chamber and extends therefrom into the space within suchframe, in a substantially vertical plane and in a directionapproximately normal to such wall, so that light produced in saidchamber is dispersed lengthwise through said transparent elements toproduce elongated rays or beams, and a succession of differently-coloredsheets moving continuously between the source of light and saidelongated transparentelements to produce a succession of long flashes,said frame having at least one free flat outer side to adapt theapparatus for attachment against a vertical wall.

5. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects, the combinationwith a hollow frame having an interiorly-illuminated chamber, ofelongated transparent elements, each of which at one end passes througha wall of said chamber and extends therefrom into the space within suchframe, in a substantially vertical plane and in a directionapproximately normal to such wall, so that light produced in saidchamber is dispersed lengthwise through said transparent elements toproduce elongated rays or beams, and a succession of differently coloredsheets moving continuously between the source of light and saidelongated transparent elements to produce a succession of long flashes.

6. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects, the combinationwith a hollow frame having an interiorly-illuminated chamber, ofelongated transparent elements, each of which at one end passes througha wall of said chamber and extends therefrom into the space within suchframe, in a substantially vertical plane and in .a directionapproximately normal to such wall, so that light produced in saidchamber is dispersed lengthwise through said transparent elements toproduce elongated rays or beams, and a succession of differently-coloredsheets moving continuously between the source of light and saidelongated transparent elements to produce a succession of long flashes,the front wall of said chamber having an advertisement illuminated bythe light within.

7. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects, the combinationwith a hollow frame having an interiorly-illuminated chamber, ofelongated transparent elements, each of which at one end passes througha wall of said chamber and extends therefrom into the space within suchframe, in a substantially vertical plane and in a directionapproximately normal to such wall,-so that light produced in saidchamber is dispersed lengthwise through said transparent elements toproduce elongated, rays or beams, and a succession of differentlycoloredsheets moving continuously between the source of light and saidelongated transparent elements to produce, a succession of long flashes,said chamber being open at the rear.

8. In an apparatus for producing illuminating effects, the combinationwith a hollow frame having an interiorly-illuminated chamber, ofelongated transparent elements, each of which at one end passes througha wall of said chamber and extends therefrom into the space within suchframe, in asubstantially vertical plane and in a direction approximatelynormal to such wall, so that light produced in said chamber is dispersedlengthwise through said transparent elements to produce elongated raysor beams, and a flexible belt comprising a succession of differently-colored sheets connected together by flexible strips at their edges andmoving successively between the source of light and said elongatedtransparent elements to produce a succession of long flashes.

9. In an apparatusfor producing illuminatin g effects, the combinationwith a hollow frame having an interiorly illuminated chamber, ofelongated transparent elements, each of which at one end passes througha wall of said chamber and extends therefrom into the space within suchframe, in a substantially vertical plane and in a directionapproximately normal to such wall, so that light produced in saidchamber is dispersed lengthwise through said transparent elements toproduce elongated rays or beams, and a succession of differently-coloredsheets moving continuously between the source of light and saidelongated transparent elements to produce a succession of long flashes,and a background of dark material arranged behind said elongatedtransparent elements.

10. In an apparatus for producing illuminating efiects, in combinationwith a hollow frame having an interiorly-illuminated chamber A havingits rear face open, and having upon its front face an advertisementilluminated from within the chamber, of elongated transparent elements Beach of which at one end passes through an opaque wall E of said chamberand extends therefrom into the space within such frame, in asubstantially vertical plane and in a direction approximately normal tothe wall E, so that light produced in said chamber A is dispersedlengthwise through said transparent elements B to produce elongated raysor beams, a series of lamps arranged within said chamber to provide theillumination, a belt Gr comprising a succession of differently coloredsheets arranged between the lamps and the elongated transparentelements, pulleys K around which said belt extends, and means forrotating one of said pulleys to move said belt and produce a successionof long flashes in said elongated transparent elements.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

OSKAR JUNGHANS.

Witnesses:

EUGENE V. KEYES, FRED WHITE.

